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Articles - Click on the Articles title to access the Article
VA
takes "Two Major Steps Forward" in Computer Security
Chairman Craig Says Call For Nicholson's Resignation "Over
The Top"
New
Computer Data Loss At Va - “This Whole Problem With Va Data Security Has Got To
Stop,” Craig Says
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August 14, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093
(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Larry Craig, Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is praising actions
being taken by federal officials to enhance data security
for millions of American veterans.
Last week VA officials announced that they have contracted
with ID Analytics to provide data analysis of information on
veterans which may have been made public by the recent
thefts of two VA computers. Today the agency announced it
has contracted with SMS, Inc., to provide encryption
technology for all laptop and desktop computers in the
Department of Veterans Affairs inventory.
"These are
important steps which should go a long way to making VA the
model agency in data security within the federal government.
That is the goal of both Secretary Nicholson and the Senate
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs," Craig said.
"VA has just taken
two major steps forward. This is good news for veterans
everywhere."
The need for the data analysis and encryption was prompted
by the theft in May of a laptop computer and external hard
drive from the home a VA employee which contained
information on 26.5 million veterans and active duty
personnel. Both were later recovered by law enforcement and
an FBI analysis found that the information was not breached.
Two 19-year-old individuals and a juvenile have been
arrested for involvement in that theft.
More recently a computer containing data on an estimated
38,000 veterans was stolen from a VA contractor's secure
facility. Veterans impacted by the second theft, most of
whom live in and around Pennsylvania, will soon receive a
letter from VA explaining the situation and outlining how
they can sign up for credit monitoring. The private
contractor which had the computer stolen from its offices –
Unisys Corporation – will pay for those services.
"I have promised America’s veterans that I intend to make VA
information security a model of data security and this
expedited encryption program is a major step in that
direction," said VA Secretary Jim Nicholson in a statement
to the press.
The contract for the encryption service with SMS, Inc., will
cost taxpayers $3.7 million. ID Analytics’ data analysis
services will be provided for free.
"Cost-free is
good. In fact, it is simply amazing, especially when this
service will be provided by one of the top data security
firms in the country," Craig said.
ID Analytics' services are used daily by more than half the
credit and retail card issuers in the United States, as well
as leading wireless and online consumer finance companies.
#####
CHAIRMAN CRAIG SAYS
CALL FOR NICHOLSON'S RESIGNATION "OVER
THE TOP"
Chairman
Larry Craig standing with VA Secretary Jim Nicholson
August 8, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093
(Washington, DC) Sen. Larry Craig, Chairman of the U.S.
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today issued the
following statement concerning Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Jim Nicholson:
"It is clear that there is a systems problem with VA data
security which must be fixed. Jim Nicholson and his staff
have received that message from me, and they have received
that message from other members of the committee. They are
working hard to put systems in place so that incidents like
these don’t happen again.
"But calling for Secretary Nicholson’s resignation is over
the top. It does not and will not solve the problem.
"A computer was stolen from a private contractor’s highly
secured office building. I am fairly confident that Jim
Nicholson did not break in and steal that computer. A
criminal did. The FBI and local police are working to solve
that crime and the contractor is working to provide a
financial solution to ensure veterans are protected.
"We are in an election season, with several primaries being
held today, so I don’t think anyone is surprised that the
leader of the Democrats is calling for the resignation of
the former leader of the Republican Party."
#####
NEW COMPUTER DATA LOSS AT VA
“This whole problem with VA data security has got to
stop,” Craig says
Sen. Larry
Craig, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
August 7, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093
(Washington, DC) A newly reported missing computer involving
the personal information of 37,000 veterans has triggered a
stern reaction from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs.
"On Friday VA
officials informed members of Congress that a desktop
computer containing information on veterans insurance claims
was discovered missing from a subcontractor’s offices in
Reston, Virginia. Since it was a private contractor
involved, I expect VA to hold the contractor financially
responsible for any costs that veterans may incur as the
result of this loss," said Sen. Larry Craig
(R-Idaho) who chairs the Senate oversight committee on
veterans’ issues.
VA was notified Thursday, August 3, by the Unisys
Corporation that a desk top computer was missing from the
contractor’s offices in Reston, Virginia. The Department of
Veterans Affairs immediately dispatched a team to assist in
the search for the missing computer and to help determine
the precise nature of the information it may have contained.
According to VA officials, information on the computer was
password protected but was not encrypted.
Initial estimates indicate the desktop contained information
on approximately 5,000 patients treated at Philadelphia,
approximately 11,000 patients treated at Pittsburgh, and
approximately 2,000 deceased patients. VA is also
investigating the possibility the computer may have
contained information on approximately another 20,000 people
who received care through the Pittsburgh medical center.
It is believed the desktop computer may have contained
patients’ names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, dates
of birth, insurance carriers and billing information, dates
of military service, and claims data that may include some
medical information.
Over the weekend police arrested two individuals – both 19
years old – i | 
